THE Ministry of Defence (MoD) is refusing to confirm or deny the Mercian Battle Group is involved in allegations two soldiers abused Afghan children.

The Mercian Regiment is made up of four battalions including the 1st battalion which recruits from Cheshire but that battalion is not currently in theatre.

The MoD has confirmed there is an investigation into the allegations which a national newspaper claims relates to two soldiers encouraging a young boy and a girl to touch them through their clothes. But the MOD is unwilling to divulge whether the Mercian Battle Group, which includes regiments other than the Mercians, is involved.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “We are aware that an allegation has been made concerning alleged inappropriate behaviour by two servicemen in Afghanistan.

“The Royal Military Police (Special Investigations Branch) has launched an investigation into this. We take any such allegation extremely seriously.”